What’s New In Primary Care - Spring 2024 Edition
Hello everyone. We hope everyone is ready to get back outside for Spring. The following is a summary of some interesting topics that appeared in the primary care literature over the last 6 months, focusing on studies regarding activity and exercise given the prospect for better outside weather!
Step Counts and Health Benefits: One study revealed as few as 2000 steps a day reduced the risk of heart failure by 26 percent over 7.5 year period. Another research project looked at step counts per day and development of cardiac disease as well as overall mortality. The results showed that step counts starting at 2600 per day significantly lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. And even more steps per day showed increasingly better benefits. A third study looked at device (step counter) measured physical activity vs sedentary time in 12000 patients over the age of 50 over a 5 year period of time. As you might expect the participants that had 22 minutes or more of exercise time per day (including walking) had much better health outcomes.
Exercise and Fat Distribution: A research project looked at time spent in physical activity and fat deposition profiles (especially that abdominal fat we all dislike). The results showed those that exercised had lower fat scores and less abdominal fat. And this included individuals who exercised daily or just 2 days a week.
Exercise and Depression: A study looked at 218 previously published studies on depression and the effects of exercise on the depression scores. The results showed walking, jogging, strength training as well as other aerobic exercises (such as elliptical trainer) and traditional exercise such as Tai-Chi all showed improvement in depression scores. The researchers recommended providers to prescribe exercise as one of their treatments for depression along with any needed medication or counseling.
Excessive TV Watching and risks of Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and Depression: A research project was conducted in England and Scotland involving 473,000 people with ages between 39-72 years. The study went on for 5 years. Participants reported the amount of time they spent outside of work watching television, using the computer or exercising. MRI’s were conducted looking at the brain volumes of the participants. Compared to those who watched TV for under one hour per day, those who reported more than 4 hours per day had a 28% higher risk of dementia as well as 35% higher risk of depression and 16% higher risk of Parkinson's disease. Interestingly computer usage of 30-60 minutes per day was shown to be protective of developing the 3 conditions. And adding 30 minutes of exercise time was also protective.
In summary the studies discussed above demonstrate many of the beneficial effects of exercise. And the “exercise” does not have to be “sweating it out in the gym” as has also been shown. Many forms of physical activity will suffice including getting a nice walk and increasing that daily step count!
I conclude by wishing a wonderful spring and summer to all of you.
George Bell MD